Computerized system for sample displacement with stepper motor using the L298: application in the Z-scan technique

Abstract In this work, we show up a new technology of low-cost stepper motor control via computer, that can be used for moving samples. More specifically, we developed a control system using the commercial electronic module L298, which avoids the use of a complex traditional electronic circuit of multiple discrete components. In addition, we used a stepper motor coupled in a translation stage for a nonlinear optics experiment, Z-scan, in which the precise displacement of samples is required. For both the stepper motor control and data acquisition we used the myDAQ device, which is manufactured by National Instruments and, it is a versatile multifunction and not-so-high cost device that can be connected to the computer via USB communication port. In this work we are using the visual programming language LabVIEW and we are making available for download the necessary programs for the movement of the stepper motor. The circuits described are simple and easy to assemble and may be useful for students, undergrad researchers, laboratory technicians and even for trained researchers.

摘要 本研究提出一种基于计算机的低成本步进电机控制新技术，可用于样品位移操控。具体而言，本研究采用商用电子模块L298搭建控制系统，无需使用由多个分立元件组成的传统复杂电路。此外，本研究将步进电机与平移台耦合，应用于需精准样品位移的非线性光学Z扫描实验中。本研究采用美国国家仪器（National Instruments）生产的myDAQ设备完成步进电机控制与数据采集，该设备兼具多功能性与低成本优势，可通过USB通信端口与计算机连接。本研究采用可视化编程语言LabVIEW开发相关程序，并公开了步进电机运动所需的配套程序供下载使用。本文所述电路搭建简便、易于组装，可惠及本科生、本科科研人员、实验室技术员乃至资深科研人员。